We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
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A mother must confront the haunting memories of raising a son who committed a horrific act of violence.
The story
Armenian mother Eva Khatchadourian, a former travel writer, lives in a rundown house and works near a prison where she visits her son, Kevin. Having been convicted of mass-murdering students at his high school, Kevin's presence forces Eva to confront the past. As she deals with the hostility of her neighbors, she reflects on the difficult process of raising him. From his infancy, Kevin appeared detached and antagonistic toward Eva, while his father, Franklin, consistently dismissed her concerns. The film explores the strained bond between mother and son as Eva grapples with her memories of his behavior and the reality of his actions.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Eva Khatchadourian, a woman struggling with the aftermath of her son Kevin's actions, visits him in prison. The narrative weaves between her current life and memories of their upbringing. From the beginning, Kevin was a difficult child who only showed affection to his father, Franklin. A pivotal moment occurred when Eva, in a fit of frustration, threw Kevin against a wall, an incident Franklin refused to acknowledge as a problem. The birth of a second child, Celia, exacerbated the tension, as Kevin showed disdain for his sister. After a series of escalating incidents, including the mysterious disappearance of a pet and a subsequent injury to Celia, the tension peaked. On the eve of his 16th birthday, Kevin trapped and murdered several students in a school gymnasium. Following his arrest, Eva returned home to find that Kevin had also murdered Franklin and Celia. In the present, during a visit to Kevin in prison, his demeanor is demure and frightened as he faces his upcoming transfer to an adult facility. When asked why he committed the murders, he admits he is no longer sure of his original reasons.
- First release year
- 2011
- Runtime (minutes)
- 112
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Lynne Ramsay
- Writers
- Lynne Ramsay · screenplay; Rory Stewart Kinnear · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Tilda Swinton · Eva Khatchadourian; John C. Reilly · Franklin Plaskett; Ezra Miller · Kevin Khatchadourian; Jasper Newell · young Kevin; Rocky Duer · toddler Kevin; Ashley Gerasimovich · Celia Khatchadourian; Siobhan Fallon Hogan · Wanda; Alex Manette · Colin
- Genres
- psychological thriller; drama
- Themes
- mother-son relationship
- Tone and mood
- psychological; horror
- Setting
- A house and a prison in the present, with flashbacks to a home in the past.
- Premise and plot tags
- dysfunctional family; mass murder; psychopath
- Source material / true-story basis
- 2003 novel of the same name by Lionel Shriver
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews and was noted for its masterful blend of drama and horror, with particular praise for Tilda Swinton's performance.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 68 · scale: 100 · review count: 37
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Globe Award · Best Actress in a Leading Role · Nomination; Screen Actors Guild Award · Best Actress in a Leading Role · Nomination; BAFTA · Best Actress in a Leading Role · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was listed at no. 74 of Time Out's 100 Best Films of the 21st Century in 2022.; The score was composed by Jonny Greenwood using a wire-strung harp.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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